MIA Update- November 1, 2019

[boardman]

MIA Update: The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced four new identifications, and three burial updates for service members who have been missing and unaccounted-for from WWII and the Korean War. Returning home for burial with full military honors are:

-- Marine Corps Pfc. Robert J. Hatch, 21, of Woods Cross, Utah, was a member of Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed, including Hatch on the third day of battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Hatch will be buried Dec. 14, 2019, in Bountiful, Utah. Read about Hatch https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1976076/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-hatch-r/.
-- Army Pfc. Jasper V. Marquez, 21, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 28, 1950, when enemy forces attacked his unit near the Kunu-ri, North Korea. Repatriated American prisoners of war reported that Marquez had died at Hofong Camp while a prisoner of war, in January 1951. Marquez will be buried in his hometown. The date has yet to be determined. Read about Marquez https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/1932942/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-marquez-j/.
-- Army Sgt. William C. Holmes, 21, of Smyth County, Virginia, was killed during the Korean War. Holmes was a member of Heavy Tank Company, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. On Sept. 21, 1951, his unit participated in a patrol located near the Iron Triangle, North Korea. After a prolonged firefight, Holmes was killed in action. Following the battle, his remains were not initially recovered. Holmes will be buried Nov. 23, 2019, in Middleway, West Virginia. Read about Holmes https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2004194/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-holmes-w/.
-- Navy Seaman 2nd Class Everett G. Windle, 20, of Kansas City, Missouri, was killed during World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Windle was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Windle. Interment services are pending. Read about Windle https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2003237/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-windle-e/.
-- Navy Coxswain Layton T. Banks, 20, of Dallas, Texas, was killed during World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Banks was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Banks. Interment services are pending. Read about Banks https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2003181/uss-oklahoma-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-banks-l/.
-- Navy Fireman First Class Bethel E. Walters, 25, of Dallas, Texas, was killed during World War II. On Dec. 7, 1941, Banks was assigned to the battleship USS West Virginia, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS West Virginia sustained multiple torpedo hits, but timely counter-flooding measures taken by the crew prevented it from capsizing, and it came to rest on the shallow harbor floor. The attack resulted in the deaths of 106 crewmen, including Walters. Interment services are pending. Read about Walters https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2003158/uss-west-virginia-sailor-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-walters-b/.
-- Marine Corps Sgt. Jerome B. Morris, 22, of Paragould, Arkansas, was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, which landed against stiff Japanese resistance on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands in an attempt to secure the island. Over several days of intense fighting at Tarawa, approximately 1,000 Marines and sailors were killed and more than 2,000 were wounded, while the Japanese were virtually annihilated. Morris was killed on the third day of the battle, Nov. 22, 1943. Interment services are pending. Read about Morris https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/News-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/2002211/marine-accounted-for-from-world-war-ii-morris-j/.